Remotely operated data recording system with rotatable card magazine



3,418,430 EM WITH ROTATABLE CORD MAGAZINE 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Sept. 7, 1965 INVENTOR. STALLE'R mm G m \I o i MN 4 vm 2 t ll f w fl om N6 mm mm Tum. ow mm M m N 0 mm \gmm vm Q S ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1968 M. STALLER 3,418,430

REMOTELY OPERATED DATA RECORDING SYSTEM WITH ROTATABLE CORD MAGAZINE Filed Sept. 7, 1965 2 SheetsSheet 2 DRIVE MOTOR PRINTER MASTER RELAY FILTER INVENTOR.

MORRIS STALLER m BY 0 cu I AT TORN EY United States Patent 3,418,430 REMOTELY OPERATED DATA RECORDING SYS- TEM WITH ROTATABLE CARD MAGAZINE Morris Staller, 807 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, RI. 02910 Filed Sept. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 485,419 20 Claims. (Cl. 179-2 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention resides in a device which permits data to be gathered in different places, such as hospital rooms, and to be recorded at a central place, such as the nurses station. A conventional remote portable unit is plugged into the audio wiring of the patients room and the information is sent out by a standard typing device, an encoder, a tone shift oscillator and a 40 kc. generator. The signal is received and recorded on a unit consisting of a motor driven card holder or drum, an integral scanner device mounted thereon, a card transfer mechanism, a printer, and the associated electronic circuitry.

My present invention relates to data processing apparatus and more particularly to a novel device for recording data at a remotely controlled point.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a portable apparatus for transmitting data to a central gathering point over existing intercom lines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel type of data receiving and entering apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus particularly suitable for installations such as hospitals, laboratories, etc. wherein the portable sending device can be moved from patient to patient or from room to room to process and send data to a central collection point either on each fioor or for the entire building.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remotely operated data collecting device which is comparatively simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, of the central receiving and entry unit.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section, partly diagrammatic, of the card transfer mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly diagrammatic, of the device illustrated in FIG. 1.

It is frequently necessary for information to be gathered in a multiple number of rooms or other installations in a building and then this information must be taken to a centrally located place for insertion on cards, books or other entries. For example, in hospitals, each floor is usually provided with a central location from which nurses operate. All of the persons records are kept in this particular spot. When the nurses travel on their rounds they examine each patient and mark down the temperature and other data required by the doctor and then return to the central location and enter it on the card. This entails a considerable amount of paper work and results in multiple handling leading to mistakes.

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a system whereby information available at a remote location will be received and recorded in printed form at a central location. While such systems have been previously used, the present invention utilizes the existing wires used primarily for communication by audio or other means. By the use of such a system it is unnecessary to install special wiring for the devices of the present invention. More particularly, most hospitals are now equipped with audio and/ or signal devices attached to each patients room from the central location on each floor. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention permits the information to be automatically entered at the central location on the proper card or designated position on the card corresponding to the location from which the information originated and the date and time of such entry can be noted automatically.

Essentially, the device comprises a remote portable unit which is plugged into the audio wiring in a patients room, for example, and a central receiving unit for entering the information on the proper card. The remote portable unit is not illustrated herein as it consists of a standard miniature typing device of the type manufactured by the Teletype Corporation, a conventional encoder device also manufactured by the same company, a conventional tone shift oscillator and a 40 kc. generator. The operation and use of such a device is well known in the art. However, the central unit for receiving the signals from the various rooms, must be able to sort out the signal to the proper card and make the proper entry. This central unit consists of a motor driven card holder or drum, an integral scanner device mounted therein, a card transfer mechanism, a printer, and the associated electronic circuitry.

Referring to FIG. 1, the drum 10 is designed to hold the card corresponding to the different rooms and patients in a manner hereinafter to be described. Mounted above the drum 10 is the card inserting mechanism 11, see also FIG. 3. The drum 10 rotates over the scanning device 12 and is rotated by a conventional drum motor drive 13. Mounted at one side beneath the scanning device is a conventional printer 14 of the type also manufactured by the Teletype Corporation. In series between the printer 14 and a relay unit 15 is the conventional decoding device 16.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the hookup at the receiving end. A plurality of audio and/or signal lines such as 17, 18 and 19 normally extend from each bed or room 20 to the sound system or the nurses call console 21. Each line is connected to a magnetic switch 22, 23 and 24 located at the scanner 12, and then to the line 25. The signal then passes in series through the limiter amplifier 26, a 40 kc. filter 27 and the master relay 15. In addition, a beep signal generator 28 is hooked into the line 25 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. A shortened version of the circuit appears in FIG. 3.

The card drum 10 is mounted on a central shaft 29 which may be slotted so that the cards 30 are positioned in radial position as illustrated in FIG. 3. There is one card for each bed or room where there is a means for plugging the remote portable unit into the audio and/ or signal lines. In the illustration in FIG. 3, the scanning drum 12 is shown spaced from the bottom of the card drum. However, the parts are in close proximity as illustrated in FIG. 1. As the drum 10 rotates, a permanent magnet 31 scans a number of magnetic switches 32 each representing a card in the drum. The switches 22, 23 and 24 are among these. These switches are in the scanning base 12. As the magnet passes a given switch it closes and samples one of the pairs of audio and/or signal lines 17, 18 and 19 in the illustration. In this manner each audio pair is sampled once per revolution of the drum. The output side of all switches is common to the input of a limiter amplifier 26, 40 kc. filter 27 and the relay 15. If any audio and/or signal pair contains a 40 kc. signal when it is sampled it will cause the master relay 15 to operate. The operation of this relay 15 first of all stops the drum motor 13 at that position. Secondly, it applies voltage to the card insertion unit 11.

The card insertion unit 11 mounted directly above the drum is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. This comprises a motor driven linear actuator with a stroke length sufficient to transfer the card from the drum to the Teletype printer 14 below it. It consists of a permanent magnet DC. motor 33 driving a linear shaft 34. The device also comprises upper and lower limit microswitches 35 and 36 and a solenoid operated jaw assembly 37 which extends through the shaft 34. When a voltage of a given polarity is applied to the insertion unit the motor 33 turns in a direction dependent on polarity causing the shaft 34 to move downwardly. When the shaft reaches a position where the wiper arm 39 extending laterally touches a vertical contact strip 40, the solenoid 37 is energized and the card 30 is gripped by the jaws 38. The shaft continues to extend and at a further point, the wiper arm 39 leaves the strip 40, into the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2, thus opening the jaws 38 and releasing the card, and finally the shaft stops at the full down position due to the limit switch 35 being contacted by the arm 41.

The card is now in the printer. Note that limit switch 36, which is in series with the card drum 10, and is closed only in the up position of its closure arm 42, prevents the drum from rotating except in this up position. When the data has been entered by the printer, and the 40 kc. signal has stopped, the master relay returns to normal condition. This applies an opposite polarity voltage to the card inserter motor 33 causing it to retract the rod 34. When the rod is fully retracted, the limit switch 36 allows the drum 10 to start rotating again in search of a new signal.

An auxiliary feature includes the beep signal generator 28 which sends an intermittent tone to the speaker at the location from which the data is being sent to notify the operator that the card is in place and ready for information. Also a date and time may be automatically entered on each card by equipment standard in the art.

Thus a nurse carrying one of these remote control units can enter a patients room or even a room where there is more than one bed, and take the necessary data from the patient such as temperature, respiration, etc., on a simple. pad. The nurse now plugs in her unit into the audio or other signal wiring to this particular patients bed..The remote unit puts a 40 kc. signal on to the signal line. The drum 10 rotates and the magnet 31 samples each line until the 40 kc. signal is found. The master relay 15, is activated, stopping the rotation of the drum andsignalling the unit 11 that a card is ready. The operation above described now takes place, the card injector unit 11 lifting the proper card from the drum 10 and placing it down into the printer 14. At this point the generator 28 inserts a beep signal and the nurse now knows that the central unit is ready to receive. The data going on the card is now typed by the nurse directly at the spot adjacent the patients bed on a standard miniature Teletype operator and the printer automatically prints the data on to the card. When the nurse has finished she switches off and unplugs the unit. The relay 15 then proceeds to reverse the operation of the card inserter 11 so that it picks the card out of the printer "back into the drum. The drum 10 now starts rotating again and the machine is ready to receive as soon as the nurse plugs in another location.

Thus by the use of the novel receiving station hereinabove described, and the standard type of Teletype sending apparatus used as a 40 kc. sending apparatus, data can be entered at a central point on a floor or even in an entire building without the necessity of any additional wiring, the entire signal being placed on to the audio and/or signal line. Note that there is no disturbance of the audio and/or signal lines and that they can be used at any time even while the device of the present invention is in operation. Since standard purchasable equipment is used, manufacture and assembly is comparatively easy and economical. Other advantages of the present invention will 'be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a remotely operated data recording device in which a data sending unit superimposes a 40 kc. signal on a selected one of a plurality of audio or other signal circuit lines, a central receiving and recording device comprising a rotatable holder having a plurality of data receiving cards, each card corresponding to one of the signal circuit lines, means for rotating said card holder, a scanning device for electrically checking each signal circuit line, means for stopping rotation of said card holder when said scanning device senses the signal circuit line with the 40 kc. signal, a data printing device, and means for moving a card corresponding to the signal circuit from said holder into said data printer, said printer recording data received on the 40 kc. signal from the data sending unit, said moving means returning said card from said printer to said holder on terminating the 40 kc. signal.

2. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 1, in which an electrical filter is in series with the signal lines whereby said device will receive only the 40 kc. signal.

3. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 1, in which a beeping device sends a signal back on the signal line when said moving means has moved a card from said holder to said data printing device.

4. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 2, in which a beeping device sends a signal back on the signal line when said moving means has moved a card from said holder to said data printing device.

5. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 1, in which said central receiving device includes a shaft, a motor for rotating said shaft, an annular housing, said shaft passing through said housing, said housing having a plurality of radially disposed magnetic switches each controlling one of said signal lines, a card drum mounted on said shaft and rotatable over said housing, and a magnet at the bottom edge of said drum adapted to pass over said magnetic switches on rotation of said shaft, said cards being radially positioned in said drum.

6. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 1, in which said card moving means comprises a vertically movable hollow shaft, a motor for raising and lowering said shaft, and means operable through said shaft for grasping a card in said card holder and lowering said card into said printer, said means grasping said card in said printer and raising said card to said holder after the recording of the data.

7. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 6, wherein said grasping means comprises a pair of pivoted grasping fingers at the bottom end of said shaft, a rod extending from said fingers upwardly through said shaft for operating said fingers, a solenoid for operating said rod, a pair of upper and lower limit switches, and upper and lower extensions on said shaft for engaging said switches.

8. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 5, in which an electrical filter is in series with the signal lines whereby said device will receive only the 40 kc. signal.

9. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 8, in which a beeping device sends a signal back on the signal line when said moving means has moved a card from said holder to said data printing device.

10. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 6, in which an electrical filter is in series with the signal lines whereby said device will receive only the 40 kc. signal.

11. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 10, in which a beeping device sends a signal back on the signal line when said moving means has moved a card from said holder to said data printing device.

12. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 5, in which said card moving means comprises a vertically movable hollow shaft, a motor for raising and lowering said shaft, and means operable through said shaft for grasping a card in said card holder and lowering said card into said printer, said means grasping said card in said printer and raising said card to said holder after the recording of the data.

13. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 12, in which an electrical filter is in series with the signal lines whereby said device will receive only the 40 kc. signal.

14. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 13, in which a beeping device sends a signal back on the signal line when said moving means has moved a card from said holder to said data printing device.

15. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 7, in which an electrical filter is in series with the signal lines whereby said device will receive only the 40 kc. signal.

16. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 12, wherein said grasping means comprises a pair of pivoted grasping fingers at the bottom end of said shaft, a rod extending from said fingers upwardly through said shaft for operating said fingers, a solenoid for operating said rod, 21 pair of upper and lower limit switches, and upper and lower extensions on said shaft for engaging said switches.

17. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 15, in which a beeping device sends a signal back on the signal line when said moving means has moved a card from said holder to said data printing device.

18. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 16, in which an electrical filter is in series with the signal lines whereby said device will receive only the kc. signal.

19. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 18, in which a beeping device sends a signal back on the signal line when said moving means has moved a card from said holder to said data printing device.

20. A remotely operated data recording device as in claim 1, in which said scanner sends said 40 kc. signal in series through a limiter amplifier, 40 kc. filter and a relay, a decoder is in series between said relay and said data printer, and said relay controls the stopping of said scanning device and the starting of said card moving device and printer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT L. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

2,307,128 1/ 1943 Harrison 346-48 2,896,021 7/1959 Philipps l79l.4 3,131,259 4/1964 Di Iorio et al l792 J. TERRY STRATMAN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

